Archibald smith



(No Model.)

4. SMITH. HOT BED GOVBRING.

No. 444,400. Patented Jan. 6, `1891.`

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Y UNITED STAIES.

PATENT OFFICE.

ARCHIBALD SMI'iI-I, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES II. BRECK, TRUSTEE.

Hor-BED covEmNc.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,400, dated January 6, 189,1.V

Application filed July l 9, I 890.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that'I, ARCHIBALD SMITH, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Cambridge,in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hot-Bed Coverings, of which the following is a full speci iication.'

My invention consists of an improved water-proof and air-tight covering forthe glass tops of hot-beds to take the place of straw mats ordinarily employed for this purpose. The straw mat, being of` loose texture, absorbs Inoisture readily, and after being used a short time soon rots. After rains, moreover, it is heavy and soggy, and on this account disagreeable to handle. In cold weather,when loaded with moisture,it freezes, thus acting to keep the sash cold rather than warm. On the other hand, in dry windy weather the mat has to be held down by heavy planks to prevent its being blown away. I obviate these difficulties entirely by the use of the covering hereinafter described, which is provided with a simple fastening device whereby it may be secured to the hotbed frame.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows in perspective a hotbed with sash protected by my improved covering. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the covering with the top layer removed, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the covering on an enlarged scale.

I make my covering of a number of layers of paper, preferably two, the outer or upper Aof which consists, preferably, of a water proof rope or wood-pulp paper of close ber, while the under layer A may be made of an inferior quality of water-proof paper-such, for instance, as rosin-sized sheathing-paper. The covering thus formed is of such a size as to lap over at the top and bottom of the sash, as shown in Fig. 1. The layers A A are put together in such a way that an air-space is left between them. To this end Ipreferably interpose between them the side strips a, of some flexible material, as thick paper, and the top and bottom strips a. Also, in the middle I preferably employ the central cleat Serial No. 359,256. (No model.)

C, which is thickest in the middle and tapers to the thickness of the strips a at the ends. This cleat serves to keep the layers apart, thus providing air-spaces between them.

Thelayers forming the material of the COV- ering are held at top and bottom between two stiif cleats or strips of wood or metal B B', one on the upper and one on the under surface of the covering, the two cleats being bolted or riveted together through the layers A A and interposing strips a', as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. A central row of bolts or rivets also passes through the layers AA and the central cleat l, and at the sides the two layers are bolted, riveted, or sewed together through the strips a.

The cleats B B at top and bottom project beyond the edge of the covering at each side, as shown in Figs. l and 2. At the back of the hot-bed frameLare two similarly-shaped pieces F, one on each side thereof and fixed rigidly to the frame, while at the front are the two movable pieces F', one on each side, provided with slots f, adapted to slide over pins or bolts in the side of the frame L, as clearly shown in Fig. l, in such a manner that the pieces F may slidein and out. Vhen the covering is to be secured on the frame, the movable pieces F are slid back, and the top edge of the covering is placed with the projecting portion of the upper cleats B B under the retaining-pieces F. (See Fig. l.) The covering is then stretched over the sash-cover of the bed and bent down at the front thereof in the position shown, sliding out the movable pieces F over the projecting ends of the lower set of cleats B B. The covering is thus held securely down and :cannot be removed by the wind.

It is often desirable, especially in warm weather, to remove the sash-top L altogether and to cover the frame with the covering A A', placed directly over it without the interposing sash. The central cleat C in this case rests upon the sides of the frame and supports the middle of the covering, preventing it from sagging into the frame. Moreover,

the cleats B, B', and C are preferably of sufficient weight to keep the covering in place IOO when laid lightly over the frame, even when not fastened thereto, in the manner described. A covering thus constructed, being much lighter than the straw matting, is easier to handle. Moreover, by reason ot its close fiber, it is air-tight and water-proof. Itis also a perfect non-conductor on account of the close texture of the layers and the air-spaces between them, and hence is much warmer than the mat. Being, moreover, water-proof it cannot freeze in cold weather.

I do not limit myself to the exact arrangement of cleats and interposing strips herein described, as I might, obviously, provide the covering with air-spaces between its layers in a variety of ways.

I claim 1. A hot-bed covering consisting of an outer layer otrlater-proof rope or wood-pulp paper and an inner layer of water-proof paper held between double cleat-s at top and bottom and provided with air-spaces, in combination with allot-bed frame having retaii'iing-pieccs engaging with said cleats, substantially as described.

2. A hot-bed covering consisting ot' layers of Water-proof paperprovided at top and bottom with fastening-cleats B B' and having a supporting interposed central cleat C, in combination with a hot-bed frame provided with retaining-pieces F F, engaging with said cleats, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. A hot-bed covering provided with cleats B B', 'projecting beyond the edges of the oovering on each side,in combination with a hotbed frame provided with stationary retaining-pieces F, and sliding retaining-pieces F', secured to the frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARCHIBALD SMITH.

Witnesses:

WM. B. II. DoWsE, ALBERT E. LnAoI-r. 

